Flexible shaft.



6 0 9 1 5 2 Hm E D D E T N E T A P G. H. GILLETTE. FLEXIBLE SHAFT. APPLICATION FILED MAYI. 1906.

I hind the projections 7.

each of the views, and in'practice 1 provide at bosses 10 engage the recesses 11, when the nrnrnn GEORGE GILLETTE, NEW YQRK, N.

nio. 839,458. E-ipecificetion Letters Patent. Eatented Dec. 25, 1996.

Application filed his 4,19% Serial llo. 815,226.

To It wit-0m It may concern.

Be itl motrn that I, GEORGE H. GILLETTE, j a citizen of the United States, residing eta New York, in the county and State oi New 5 York, have invented a new and useful Flexible Shaft, of which the following is e. specification.

This invention relates to flexible shzitts j used in driving mechanism which is constantly being shifted; and the object thereof is to provide at shaft of this character that will not kink or get twisted e :i. at the same timeprovide for'greet flexibility.

The invention is illustrated in ztcco1npanying dreWings, in-ivhich- ,I

Figure 1 is ssideyi w of a. portion of fiexible shaft constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is e viewof two of the links before being clamped together, and Fig. 3 is a. sectional view through two links sit or being assembled.

In the accompanying drawings like nu nierels of reference refer to thessineports in flexible shaft corn rising at plurality of sepsrete links 5, the ody of catch (it which :5 preferably cylindrical ni liorin, end when cast one end of the lint; is provided with e projecting tenon 6,Wlll0l1 isprefersbly fist on the sides, and the end of the cylindricsl portion adjacent to the tenon is preferably cut out to form a depression, so as to leave projecting portions 7, end the opposite end of the link is divided to form yoke or mortise with flaring sides 8, the ends of which are beveled, as shown at 9, the beveled ends be ing adapted, to fit within the depressions be On the interiorof each of the sides 8 is formed an integral boss 10, and the tenon 6 is provided in each side thereof with a recess 11 proportioned in size to receive the bosses 10.

. In assembling the links together the link being secured inpl'ece is turned at right engles, as shown at the left in Fig. 1. The two sides 8 are then pressed inward until the outer surface of these sides will be in line With the body of the link. Then by swinging the link around on this pivotal connection until the link is in line with the rest of the sheit the beveled ends 9 will be housed beneath the projections 7, end the projections 7 will prevent the spreading of the sides 9, so that there will be no danger of the links becoming separated when in use.

in the drawings 1 sveshown the links with the tenons rigl an "les with the yoke, that in use the shaft co id be readily bent in two KllIQUl-lOHS. it is evident, however, that the tenon could be pieced at any angle to the yoke and that the shaft could be built up with. linns each of which would have the tcnon at a diil erent angle through a, series oi links, so that there would be c wide variotion in the later .l movcincnt'oi' the shaft. In practice, lnrwevor, i find tlii a not neces sory, as the two movements Wlll p ovide all the flexibility desired in the ordinary ilezrible shalt.

in making the shaft it is understood. that the material must b metal that will bend, such es soft b: s or malleable iron, so the sides 8 can be l. .t into position after the link. is cost. It will else be understood by those skilled in the art t etn-hen in use the shaft will be inclosed in usucl casing.

By the construction h re shown 0. icxiblc shstt is provided that will not kink or get twisted, and owing to the shape of the links the shaft will T is substantially all the ad.- ve-ntsges in soddily of an unbroken shaft, While at the seine time b ng readily flexible.

It will beunolcrstood met many changes in the details of construction can be prov 'et Without departing from the spirit of my in- 'vention, such as providing pins through the parts 6 and 8 instead of the bosses and socls ets or the recessing' oiyboth the parts 6 and 8 and using bells instead ofthe bosses or the omission of the beveled ends 9 and the projections 7, and i reserve the right to make any changes which come Within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A flexible shaft comprising plurality of links hinged together in e mortise-andten-on connection, one of the members forming the hinged. connection being provided With bosses, and the other member being pro vided with recesses adopted to receive seid bosses, for the purpose set forth.

2. A link for e flexible she-ft having a ten on one end with recesses in the sides thereof, the op osite end being bifurcated with floring' si es each of which is provided with e boss adopted to engage the rose :es in the tenon oi the next linlr.

3. A link for n flexible sheft l1 raving e tonon at one end recesses in the sides thereof,

Ci Um the opposite end being bifurcatedcwithfiaring si es each of which is provided with a boss adapted to engage a'recessinfthetenon,

of the next link, the tenon and bifurcation of each link being at different angles.

4. A link for a flexible shaft having a tenon at one end with recesses in the sides thereof,

. the o zlpositc end being bifurcated with flaring s1 es each of which is provided with a boss adapted to engage a recess in the tenon of links each of which is provide tenon at one end and a recess on each side of housing for said beveled ends, as and for the purpos'e' set forth.

.6. A flexible shaft composed of a (plurality said tenon, and a depression in the end of the link adjacent to the tenon, the opposite end of the link being bifurcated each slde havin a boss depressed into the adjacent recess 0 3o the tenon of the next link by forcing the sides inw ard against said tenon, the ends of the bifurcated parts being housed Within the depressions at the base of'thetenon when in use, as and for the purpose set forth. 3

In testimony w ereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE H. GILLETTE. Witnesses:

- HAROLD LETH,

CHAS. H; VVHITE.

with '8, 25 

